dirname
Return the directory portion of a pathname (POSIX)
Syntax:
dirname string
Runs on:
QNX Neutrino, Microsoft Windows
Options:
None.
Description:
The dirname utility returns a portion of the string operand to standard output. The string operand represents a valid pathname whose format is:
directory_pathname/base_filename
The dirname utility writes the directory_pathname component to standard output.
If string is //, then // is returned. Any other string consisting entirely of slash characters causes a single slash to be returned.
You'll use the dirname utility most often within
shell scripts, where it's normally invoked inside back-ticks (`...`), or contained in
$(...).
Note:
QNX Neutrino also supports a toybox version of this utility.
For more information, go to the toybox entry of this reference.
Examples:
| Command: | Output: |
|---|---|
| dirname . | . |
| dirname .. | . |
| dirname ../. | .. |
| dirname /usr/src/prog.c | /usr/src |
| dirname /usr/src/ | /usr |
| dirname ...//[fred] | ... |
Exit status:
- 0
- Successful completion.
- >0
- An error occurred.
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